ECB Executive Board member Sabine Lautenschläger says that banks in Europe would be put through their paces. "I think it's hugely important for our stress test to be tough," she commented on the second day of the Bundesbank's symposium. This year was an opportunity to straighten things up, she added.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann is critical of the ECB Governing Council's recent decision to purchase government bonds. He does not consider such a programme necessary at present, and sees a risk that the purchases might reduce the pressure on crisis countries to reform. He said that the specific structure would mitigate at least some of the problems that government bond purchases entail.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann has warned that the budgetary rules in the euro-area countries should not be interpreted too flexibly. Speaking at an event in Biberach, Mr Weidmann said that sound budgets were a key prerequisite for the stability of the single currency, for which every member state was responsible.